Application
This unit describes the skills required to coordinate complex forensic investigations involving forensic personnel from multiple disciplines. This will include planning for multi-discipline forensic investigations, coordinating resources and personnel, and reviewing the forensic investigations. These disciplines may include internal and external agencies, external analytical laboratories and national/international organisations.
This unit applies to specialist police staff as part of the forensic investigation of complex investigations which necessitate the involvement of multiple disciplines.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to quality management, case management systems, forensic investigations and work health and safety (WHS).
Those undertaking this unit would be required to work autonomously and lead a team. They would demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the requirements of forensic investigations to plan and coordinate resources. They would demonstrate knowledge of sciences as they apply to crime scene investigation while performing sophisticated tasks across a broad range of unpredictable contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Plan a multi-discipline forensic scene investigation | 1.1 Assess types of evidence and the nature of the scene/incident to determine need for a multi-discipline investigation. 1.2 Conduct a preliminary assessment to identify information necessary for the development of the forensic investigation plan. 1.3 Assess information to identify nature of situation, objectives, options for multi-discipline response, and prioritisation and sequencing of examinations. 1.4 Evaluate options for multi-discipline response to select and record a course of action. 1.5 Identify forensic disciplines required for the investigation to determine the scope of their involvement in the response. 1.6 Assess risks to the integrity of forensic investigation, and safety and welfare of personnel in order to develop mitigation. |
2. Coordinate resources of a multi-discipline forensic scene investigation | 2.1 Identify resource requirements from each discipline to facilitate multi-discipline response. 2.2 Negotiate with stakeholders to allocate resources and action plan taskings to areas and/or personnel. 2.3 Deploy resources to conduct action plan taskings. 2.4 Monitor resource usage to maximise use of resources and investigation outcomes. 2.5 Establish records to substantiate critical decisions and for reporting purposes. 2.6 Monitor forensic scene investigation to ensure welfare and safety of individuals. 2.7 Liaise with stakeholders for reporting and briefing purposes. 2.8 Assess the multi-disciplinary investigation continually to adjust the action plan accordingly. |
3. Review a multi-discipline forensic scene investigation | 3.1 Evaluate completed tasks to determine whether the forensic objectives of the action plan and investigation have been met. 3.2 Liaise with team to identify incomplete and/or additional tasks for actioning. 3.3 Analyse preliminary results of the forensic investigation for information and reporting purposes. 3.4 Communicate scene/preliminary results for hand-over purposes. 3.5 Facilitate assessment of the welfare of the team for actioning and referral purposes. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
assessing information to scope multi-discipline investigation and develop an investigation plan
conducting risk assessments which include considerations of evidence, people, work health and safety, the integrity of the investigation, and the environment
undertaking planning activities to achieve forensic investigative outcomes
acquiring, monitoring and deploying resources
recording information using jurisdictional information management systems
leading a team and managing personnel in a multi-discipline investigation
communicating with stakeholders
applying time management principles and prioritising examination process and workloads
managing the safety, security, correct use and storage of resources (including equipment from other agencies)
solving complex problems related to resource availability and competing priorities
recording critical decisions
evaluating information for the forensic investigation
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
jurisdictional policies and procedures related to crime scene investigation, occupational/work health and safety, case management systems, human resources, forensic investigations and multi-agency investigations
roles and responsibilities of other disciplines, agencies and organisations related to multi-discipline complex investigations
available financial, human and physical resources
security classifications and access to levels of information
risk assessment and management theory and practices
cross jurisdictional legislation which impacts upon the conduct of investigations
duty of care and workplace safety responsibilities
specialist assistance available to assist with forensic investigations
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Forensics